Skimming device found on Colne cash machine

The device was found on the machine outside the Co-Op, in Market Street

Residents are being urged to remain vigilant after a skimming device was found on a cash machine in Colne.

The device was found on the machine outside the Co-Op, in Market Street, on February 16th.

At around 12pm, a man tried to use the ATM to withdraw some money but the machine swallowed his card. As he walked away from the machine, immediately afterwards, another man approached the machine and withdrew money from his account before walking away.

A similar incident happened in Accrington two days later, when a customer’s card was swallowed outside the Co-Op store, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. He went into the shop to report this and when a member of staff came out to examine the machine, what appears to be a skimming device, was found attached to the card reader. Fortunately on this occasion, the customer was able to retrieve his card and no money was stolen.

PC Jayne Chambers, of Burnley police, said: “We would urge people to be vigilant when using cash machines and if you spot anything at all that you feel is unusual, do not use the machine and report it to the owner of the machine.”

And on the Colne and West Craven Facebook page it adds: “The cash machine at Co-op, Market Street, Colne, appears to have been targeted by two males.

“They seem to have fitted a device to obtain card details and then use it to withdraw cash. It appears that they seem to target the same cash machines over and over.

“There are two males working together and they are aged 20-30yrs and sit in the bus stop opposite. One then fits the device with other keeping lookout. They observe from the bus stop then the other goes and takes the cash whilst the other keeps look out. Just for you to be wary in the area.”

Anyone with any information can contact Lancashire Police on 101 quoting log number LC-20140221-0894 for the incident in Colne and LC-20140218-1169 for the Accrington offence.